***Equestrian trails are closed due to seasonal high water across the preserve, trails will reopen when water recedes and trails are passable.***

This large preserve, located in Alva in northeastern Lee County, provides critical habitat for numerous listed animal species, including Florida panther, crested caracara, red-cockaded woodpecker and eastern indigo snake. This preserve also includes a significant area of scrub habitat, which previously was documented to have been used by the Florida Scrub-Jay, a federally-listed threatened species. Restoration efforts, including prescribed burns, will focus on improving this habitat for scrub-jays to return to this area.

Telegraph Creek flows through the southeastern portion of this preserve. The preserve is also adjacent to Caloosahatchee Regional Park and Bob Janes Preserve, a Conservation 20/20 preserve which, in turn, is adjacent to Babcock Ranch Preserve in Charlotte County. Together, these conservation lands provide a critical corridor to support wildlife.

Two separate trails are open to the public at Telegraph Creek Preserve. The eastern trailhead is for hiking only and also provides access to Bob Janes Preserve and a marked hiking trail along its southern boundary. The western trailhead includes both hiking and equestrian use.

There is no paddle craft launch at the preserve. However, visitors may canoe or kayak into the preserve via access from Telegraph Creek.